The Dooples Jump from the Page to the Stage in 'The Dooples In The Land of Doo - The Musical'

Feb. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Generations of children have grown up with The Dooples Trilogy, the storybook series written and developed by Dr. Lynn Hunter, an innovator, leader and pioneer in early childhood learning.  Now, the Dooples make the leap from the page to the stage in a new children’s theatrical event, "The Dooples in the Land of Doo - the Musical.” The show has been named an official selection at the Fourth Annual Midwinter Short Play Festival - New York and will be performed on: Friday, Feb 28, 3:45-4:30 PM, Saturday, Mar 1, 1:00 - 1:45 PM and Sunday, March 2, 1:15 -2:00PM at The Roy Arias (http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Roy-Arias/) Theater, 300 West 43rd St (8th Ave), Stage II on the 4th floor.

The Dooples are a colorful, friendly group of writing tools that live in the Land of Doo and come to life at night  Together, they share many adventures and experiences through which children empower themselves with their own imagination and personify the conviction that “to learn is to do and to do is to learn.”  Children will identify with the Dooples characters; Gadobie, Cecil, Penny, Markita, Spectrina and Chalky, who teach reading, writing, mathematics and other key skills that help build a foundation for and love of lifelong learning.

Dr. Hunter, the Writer / Producer, and Charles Mandracchia (http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Charles-Mandracchia/)(Grand Hotel the Musical, South Pacific, NYCO, Valentino the Musical/composer), the Director / Composer /Set, have been collaborating for the past 2 years to create this motivational, live theatrical event that makes learning fun and exciting for young children.

“It’s been a joy to see the characters that I created come alive as real people,” said Dr. Hunter.  “The production values at the festival give new depth and personality to the vision I created in the New York City classroom 25 years ago.  I can’t wait for those who are familiar with the Dooples books to see it in this format and for all those who are not familiar with the Dooples to meet them for the first time live on-stage.”

The Dooples have become a complete multi-media approach to learning.  In addition to the new musical and the first three books (the trilogy) Meet the Dooples, The Dooples and the Shapes, and The Dooples Communicate, a 22-minute animated version of “The Dooples In The Land of Doo,” was a finalist in the 2012 Big Apple Film Festival and has been chosen this year as an official selection of The New Filmmakers Screening-NYC.  It will be presented on Wednesday, February 26^th at 7:15 pm at The New Filmmakers, 32 Second Avenue at 2^nd Street.

Tickets to the Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival can be purchased by phone at 866-811-4111 or on line at www.midtownfestival.org. For more information on the Dooples visit http://www.thedooples.com/, and http://www.drlynnhunter.org.

About Dr. Lynn Hunter

Lynn Hunter, Ed.D, is the President, Author, and Collaborative Technology Specialist for Educational Media Enterprises, The Dooples, LLC. and Founding Partner for VideoConferencing & Media Strategies, LLC (VCMS). From story books, children's plays, student-and professionally produced animated DVDs, pilots, public service announcements, author visits and videoconferencing programs, Dr. Hunter seeks to combine education and entertainment to release the spirit within the child.

About Charles Mandracchia

Charles Mandracchia is a twenty-five year stage veteran and has appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, such as the original Broadway cast of “Grand Hotel,” “South Pacific” and “Porgy and Bess,” as well as New York City Opera productions. He co-wrote/composed and co-produced the musical, Valentino the Musical.

About The New York Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival

Producer John Chatterton started Midwinter Madness in 2011 in response to growing interest in the short play format generated by such events as his own Short Play Lab and Short Subjects.  The New York Midwinter Madness Festival will feature approximately 50 one-act plays.  Following the festival, there will be a juried award ceremony to determine the winners.